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Speaking Exercise: How to say "no" at work

What can you say if your boss or colleague asks you to do something - and you want to refuse? Here are some ways to say "no" without making your boss angry or causing offence!

Level: Intermediate and above

1. Your boss invites you to a weekend event, but you don't want to go. You say, ''I'm really sorry, but__''

I don't want to go

I have a prior engagement

Don't say something like ''I don't want to go''. That sounds rude and ungrateful. Instead, say something like ''I have a prior engagement'' (a previous arrangement with someone) or even - more informally - ''there's something I have to do which I can't get out of''. (If you ''can't get out of something'', it's impossible for you to find an excuse not to do it.)

2. Your boss asks you to do a new project. You don't have enough time, so you say: __

Sorry, but it's impossible.

Sure, but can you help me prioritise the rest of my work?

Most bosses don't want to hear ''it's impossible''. However, if you say ''please help me prioritise my other projects'' you may be able to get rid of other work so you have more free time for the new project.

3. Your colleague leaves work early and asks you to keep it secret. You aren't happy about that and say, ''Well, ...''

I can't promise. If (boss) asks me I'll have tell him / her the truth.

You shouldn't ask me to keep that sort of thing secret!

You might think the second option, but words like ''shouldn't'' and ''mustn't'' are quite strong. Using a conditional form is friendly (though assertive!)

4. Your boss asks you to stay late at work. You've already got an appointment for after work and you say: ''I'm really sorry, but...''

5. Your colleague invites you out after work. You just want to go home and relax and you say: __

Thanks for the invitation, but there's something I've got to do.

Thanks for the offer, but I've got other plans.

''I've got other plans'' can sound rude. It's politer to say ''I've got something else on'', but even easier to say, ''There's something that I've got to do''. (This also sounds quite ''secret'' so you don't need to say what it is you need to do.)

6. Your boss asks you to do something you don't think is in your job description - and you don't have time to do it. You say: __

Is it urgent or can it wait?

Sorry, but that isn't in my job description.

This is a tricky situation. Bosses don't like to hear ''no''. Sometimes the best way to avoid something is to create a time delay - but it's not always successful. At least with the first option you don't refuse directly - and you're asking your boss to prioritise.

7. A colleague asks for your help. You're very busy so you say, ''I'm sorry, but...''

I can't help you right now. Give me an hour though.''

I'm too busy to help you.

A direct refusal is quite rude. It's better to say when you can help, as in ''give me an hour to finish this'' or ''I'll have some spare time in an hour or so''. Don't forget: you might need your colleague's help one day!

8. Your colleagues are organising a karaoke evening and invite you. You hate karaoke and can't think of a worse way to spend your evening! You say: __

Sorry guys, but I'm a terrible singer. Thanks for the invitation, but you'd be better off without me!

Sorry guys, but I've got a prior engagement.

This is a situation where it's probably better to give a light-hearted, informal response. Saying you're a terrible singer sounds more natural than saying you have a previous arrangement. (Sounding too formal with your colleagues can also make you sound distant and unfriendly.)

9. A colleague asks to borrow some money for lunch. You don't want to lend him / her money so say: ''I'm sorry, but__''

I'm a bit short of money today.

I'm not rich, you know!

Saying ''I'm not rich'' can sound as if you're insulted. Instead, if you say ''I don't have much money on me'' or ''i'm a bit short of money'' is a reasonable excuse (unless you work in a company or industry where everyone is rich!)

10. Your boss gave you a report to write and says to you, ''Have you finished it yet?'' You haven't - and you say: __

Actually, I'm about half way through.

No - thanks for reminding me!

The second option makes you sound like a person who always forgets to do work, while the first option is more an update. (You could even say when you estimate you will finish a project.)

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